Firefighter Certification 

(Only includes positions located at DLA) 

Position Grade Certification Levels Note Age Restriction

Firefighter 

(BLS/Hazmat Tech)

GS-7 Firefighter I and II

EMT-B

HAZMAT Technician

Driver Operator-Pumper

EMT-B and/or HAZMAT Tech is 

only required if listed in the title 

parenthetical

Yes – see information on age 

restriction at the bottom of 

this page

Emergency 

Communication 

Center Dispatchers

GS-6 Telecommunicator II

HAZMAT Awareness

No

Lead Firefighter 

(Paramedic)(Captain)

GS-8 

and 

GS-10

Fire Officer I

Fire Instructor I

Fire Inspector I

EMT-P

EMT-P is only required if listed in 

the title parenthetical

Yes – see information on age 

restriction at the bottom of 

this page

Fire Protection 

Inspector

GS-6 Fire Inspector I and II

Fire Instructor I

HAZMAT Awareness

Firefighter I and II, Driver 

Operator-Pumper, EMT-B and 

HAZMAT Technician required if 

performing Firefighter duties.

No

Lead Fire Protection 

Inspector

GS-8 Fire Inspector I and II

Fire Instructor I

HAZMAT Awareness

Firefighter I and II, Driver 

Operator-Pumper, EMT-B and 

HAZMAT Technician required if 

performing Firefighter duties.

No

Fire Protection 

Specialist (Training 

Officer)

GS-09 Fire Officer II

Fire Instructor III

Fire Inspector I

HAZMAT Incident Commander

No

Supervisory 

Firefighter 

(Assistant Chief of

Operations)

GS-10

and 

GS-11

Fire Officer III

Fire Instructor II

Fire Inspector II

HAZMAT Incident Commander

No

Supervisory 

Firefighter 

(Assistant Chief of

Training)

GS-10 

and 

GS-11

Fire Officer III

Fire Instructor III

Fire Inspector II

HAZMAT Incident Commander

No
Supervisory 

Firefighter 

(Assistant Chief of

Fire Prevention)

GS-10

and 

GS-11

Fire Officer III 

Fire Instructor II

Fire Inspector III

HAZMAT Incident Commander 

No

Deputy Fire Chief GS-11 Fire Officer III

Fire Instructor II

Fire Inspector II

HAZMAT Incident Commander

No

Fire Chief GS-12 Fire Officer IV

Fire Inspector II

Fire Instructor II

HAZMAT Incident Commander

No

Fire Protection 

Specialists at 

Component HQ

GS-13 Fire Officer IV

Fire Inspector II

Fire Instructor II

No

Age Restriction Information:

Applicants who have not reached their 37th birthday; OR

Current or Former Federal employees who are over 37 AND who have enough prior covered creditable service in firefighter covered positions, that when subtracted 

from their chronological age, puts their maximum entry age below 37. This means that applicants who have passed the entry age limit but who have previously 

served or are currently serving in a firefighter covered position, may in some cases re-enter a primary firefighter position, if the person meets the applicable 

qualification requirements for the position and will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable firefighter service by the time he/she reaches 

the mandatory retirement age of 57 years. "Covered positions" are those Federal positions that meet the definition of firefighter in 5 USC 8336(c) and 5 USC 8412(d) 

as determined by the Office of Personnel Management or the designated agency official.

Applicants over the maximum entry age should provide copies of all Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50’s) documenting total prior service in special retirement 

positions to support their claims: this includes all SF-50’s documenting entry into, AND departure from all covered firefighter positions. OR

Clearly document in their resume/application the prior Federal service in covered firefighter positions including dates of service (From/To), Position 

Title/Series/Grade, the agency and location.

Version 1 – 8/2/2010